Keyshawn Davis lost his WBO lightweight title before he even got to defend it. The champion failed to make weight for his bout against Edwin De Los Santos in Norfolk, Virginia, tipping the scales four pounds over the 135-pound limit.
Davis won the belt in February 2025 with an impressive fourth-round knockout of Denys Berinchyk. He was set to make his first defense in his hometown on June 8, 2025, but things went south at the weigh-in.
After Davis missed weight, his team tried to negotiate with De Los Santos' camp to keep the fight on. They couldn't reach a deal, and the bout was called off. De Los Santos will still get his full purse, even though he won't fight.
ESPN reported that Davis was immediately stripped of his WBO lightweight title due to the weight miss.
Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank and Davis' promoter, didn't hold back his frustration. He's been guiding Davis' career for years and was full of praise for the young fighter after his title win. Now, Arum's tune has changed.
"I don't know what this guy (Davis) was thinking. I don't know what all the trainers he has were doing. I don't understand it anymore. It's very disappointing, especially in the kid's hometown."
Arum shared these thoughts in a statement on social media, clearly upset with how things unfolded.
The cancellation has left a sour taste in the mouths of many boxing fans. They were looking forward to seeing if Davis could back up his impressive title win with a strong first defense.
Reports suggest that Davis will move up to 140 pounds for his next fight. It seems the struggle to make lightweight was too much, and he'll try his luck in the junior welterweight division.
This situation serves as a reminder of how crucial weight management is in boxing. Even champions can lose their belts before stepping into the ring if they can't make weight. For Davis, it's a hard lesson learned, and he'll need to bounce back strong at his new weight to regain the trust of fans and his promoter.
